Animal evisceration

ABSTRACT

A process of eviscerating an inverted animal carcass (10) inclined at 35° to 40° includes pushing the viscera (30) comprising both the thoracic viscera (31) and abdominal viscera (32) in a direction (B) from the cranial end (11) of the carcass (10) towards the caudal end (12) so as to pass between the hind legs (13) and fall from the carcass. Connecting tissues including the aorta (35) and external iliac arteries (36) are partially severed prior to pushing the viscera from the carcass so that the viscera detaches completely from the carcass after being pushed between the hind legs (13). The diaphragm (25) may be pierced at its periphery so that the force of the pushing operation causes the diaphragm to tear around its peripheral edges from the walls of the thoracic cavity. The pubic symphysis (60) is split before the pushing operation whereby the viscera (30) can pass both above and below and through the split in the pubic symphysis (60). Alternatively, the pubic symphysis ( 60) need not be split prior to the pushing operation whereby the viscera (30) travels over the pubic symphysis (60). A pushing member (41) commences to push on the thoracic viscera (31) at about the fifth rib and travels at 0.5 to 0.6 meters per second.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to evisceration of animals, and particularly toprocesses and apparatus for use in eviscerating beef and other animalsin abattoirs, boning plants, etc.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In Patent Specification No. WO89/05584 there is described a process andapparatus for evisceration of an animal carcass such as beef carcass.The process described in that specification includes steps such ascutting of the pubic symphysis or "aitch bone", cutting of the sternumor "brisket", and, while the carcass is suspended by the legs and withthe head or cranial end of the carcass higher than the rump or caudalend, moving an apparatus into the abdominal cavity to cut away thediaphragm by contouring up the inside of the walls of the abdominalcavity. While the carcass is oriented head up, a mechanical scoop entersthe thoracic cavity at the neck and is moved down along the spine insidethe carcass to clear the thoracic viscera (the "pluck") and finally pushthe complete viscera including the paunch and kidneys between the hindlegs. The complete viscera remains attached by the external iliacarteries on opposite sides of the spine and/or by the aorta and todetach the viscera, a mechanical gripper is advanced to clamp and pullor cut the remaining attachments.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The process and apparatus described in WO89/05584 therefore requiresseveral modules or apparatuses, namely the aitch bone cutting apparatus,the brisket cutting apparatus, the diaphragm cutting apparatus, theviscera removal apparatus and the viscera connection severanceapparatus, in addition to the need for manual dressing or preparationoperations at one or more points in the operation.

It is an object of the present invention to simplify and/or make moreeffective the process and apparatus for eviscerating an animal carcass.

It is a further object to provide a process and apparatus for automatingsubstantial parts of a carcass evisceration operation.

According to the present invention this is provided a process ofeviscerating an animal carcass including the step of pushing the visceracomprising both the thoracic viscera and abdominal viscera in adirection (B) from the cranial end of the carcass towards the caudal endso that the thoracic viscera is pushed into the abdominal cavity and theviscera is pushed from the carcass between the hind legs of the carcass,the process being characterised by the step of at least partiallysevering connecting tissues prior to pushing the viscera from thecarcass, the connecting tissues comprising tissues which might otherwisesupport the viscera and prevent the viscera falling from and detachingcompletely from the carcass after being pushed between the hind legs.

Preferably the tissues which are at least partially severed compriseexternal iliac arteries and/or the aorta.

The step of severing connecting tissues may be carried out during adressing operation, the connecting tissues being located between thethoracic or abdominal viscera and the walls of the thoracic or abdominalcavity so that when the pushing operation causes the abdominal andthoracic viscera to emerge from the carcass, the ejected viscera canseparate from the remainder of the carcass under their own weight. Inthe preferred process, the carcass is suspended in an inverted positionwith the cranial end of the carcass elevated above the caudal end, thepushing process causing the viscera to be ejected between the hind legsof the carcass and to fall from the suspended carcass onto a visceracollection area such as a conveyor. In order to enable the viscera tofall and detach completely from the suspended carcass, the severance ofconnecting tissues may be carried out in a dressing operation, e.g. whenmanual operations such as removal of the pizzle and erector muscles,clearing and pulling the rectum and bunging of the sphincter, baggingthe anus, and sealing the end of the rectum to eliminate contamination,are being carried out on the carcass which is suspended with the caudalend higher from the cranial end. The connecting tissues preferablycomprise the arteries known as the aorta and the external iliacarteries. These arteries, if not severed will tend to support theviscera after being pushed from the carcass between the hind legs andnecessitate either manual severance of the viscera or provision ofapparatus for this purpose. The aorta and external iliac arteries aredesirably severed where the external iliac arteries branch away from theaorta, adjacent to the sixth lumbar vertebrae. The step of pushing theviscera may be carried out without cutting of the diaphragm around theperiphery thereof so that as the pushing operation occurs, the diaphragmtears from the walls of the thoracic cavity. Prior to the pushingoperation the diaphragm may be pierced at its periphery so that theforce of the pushing operation acting through the thoracic viscera ontothe diaphragm causes the diaphragm to tear around its peripheral edgesfrom the walls of the thoracic cavity. The piercing of the diaphragm maybe carried out at a ventral portion of the periphery, i.e. remote fromthe part of the periphery closest to the spine, and, if desired, atother points around the periphery.

The piercing of the diaphragm may be carried out manually during apreliminary dressing operation of the carcass prior to the step ofpushing the viscera, Alternatively, the piercing of the diaphragm may becarried out by brisket shearing means which includes a reaction memberwhich is located in the belly and is advanced from the belly so as tolie beneath the brisket, the leading part of the reaction memberpiercing the diaphragm at the ventral edge as it is advanced to itsposition beneath the brisket, a shearing blade being cooperable with thereaction member to shear the brisket.

Preferably the carcass is suspended in an inverted position during thepushing operation with the cranial end of the carcass elevated above thecaudal end whereby the viscera is ejected between the hind legs of thecarcass and falls from the suspended carcass onto a viscera collectionarea. Preferably the spine of the carcass is at an angle of at least 30°to the horizontal during the process of pushing the viscera from thecarcass, and most desirably the angle is between 35° and 40°.

The pushing of the viscera in the direction (B) from the cranial endtowards the caudal end is preferably carried out at a speed between 0.5and 0.6 meters per second.

Preferably the viscera drops from the rump of the carcass to the visceracollection area over a distance of at least 1,500 mm so that there issufficient height for the weight of the viscera to cause completeclearance of the viscera from the carcass.

In one possible embodiment, the pubic symphysis is split before thepushing operation whereby the viscera can pass both above and below andthrough the split in the pubic symphysis. The hind legs may be heldseparated during the pushing of the viscera 30 from the carcass, theseparation of the hind legs being sufficient to produce a split in thepubic symphysis of at least 30 mm in width, and preferably about 55 mmin width.

In an alternative embodiment, the pubic symphysis is not split prior tothe pushing operation whereby the viscera travels over the pubicsymphysis and any portions of the viscera which would otherwise passbeneath the pubic symphysis will be lifted and pass with the main bulkof the viscera out between the hind legs after passing over the top ofthe pubic symphysis. In this embodiment, the process may include thestep of pushing any viscera which might tend to pass beneath the pubicsymphysis into the abdominal cavity before commencing the pushingoperation so as to be pushed or to fall past the pubic symphysis overthe top thereof when the pushing operation is being carried out.

The present invention also provides apparatus for carrying out theevisceration process, the apparatus being characterised by suspensionmeans for suspending the carcass in an inverted position with thecranial end of the carcass elevated above the caudal end, and pushingmeans for pushing the viscera from the cranial end towards the caudalend of the carcass, the pushing means including a pushing member andsupport means, the support means being operative to insert the pushingmember into the thoracic cavity and being operative to drive the pushingmember in the direction (B) from the cranial end towards the caudal endso as to push the viscera between the hind legs which fall and separatefrom the carcass.

The pushing member is preferably inserted into the thoracic cavitygenerally between the third and fifth ribs and commences to push on thethoracic viscera at about the fifth rib.

The support means may include a main support and a secondary support towhich the pushing member is mounted, the secondary support beingresiliently movable relative to main support, the support meansincluding biasing means which urges the pushing member into engagementwith the spine so that the pushing member can contour along the spineduring the pushing movement thereof.

The further particular and preferred features of the process andapparatus embodying the present invention will be described withparticular reference to the accompanying drawings, although thesedrawings are illustrative only and are not limiting on the scope of theinvention. In the drawings:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of an evisceration apparatus accordingto a possible embodiment of the present invention in use with asuspended carcass,

FIG. 2 is a side view of an alternative possible embodiment of anevisceration apparatus,

FIG. 3 shows an operator performing preliminary dressing operations aspart of the evisceration process, and

FIG. 4 is a side view of a brisket cutting apparatus for use inconjunction with the evisceration apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Prior to the main operation of pushing visceral from the carcass 10,generally known dressing operations may be carried out, as described inpatent specification No. WO89/05584. For example, the carcass may besupported by a cradle so that the spine 15 is located beneath thecarcass and the legs elevated. In this position the belly can be opened,initial stages of the hide workup can be carried out, complete cleaningof the oesophagus, trachea and subclavian arteries from the thoraciccavity can take place. Following the horizontal dressing process, thecarcass can be elevated and suspended by the legs. With the cranial end11 lower than the caudal end 12, operations such as cutting of the pubicsymphysis or "aitch bone", head removal and hide pulling can be carriedout.

At a further stage, the carcass can be suspended with the cranial end 11lower than the caudal end 12 enabling further operations to be carriedout manually, such as removal of the tongue, and clearing and bungingoperations. At this stage also the connecting tissues, particularly theexternal iliac arteries 36 and aorta 35 can be severed as shown in FIG.3 preparatory to the pushing of the viscera 30 from the carcass 10.

The brisket 20 may be cut by apparatus as shown in FIG. 4, (which isfurther illustrated and described in Specification No. WO89/05584) afterthe horizontal bed dressing operations and prior to the dressingoperations on the suspended carcass. Referring to FIG. 4, the carcass 10is presented for brisket cutting when supported horizontally, suspendedby the four legs following hide removal and prior to evisceration. Thebrisket 20 is centralised With locating means 186 comprised by aV-shaped clamp pad acting directly on the brisket region. Cutting isachieved by an hydraulic knife edge shear blade 189 that can cut-throughthe brisket 20. In operation, a shear reaction member 188 is loweredthrough the belly between the brisket 20 the pizzle, stopping when it isbelow the line of the brisket 20. The shearing means 21 can then advanceforward a preset distance so that the brisket 20 is between the blade189 and the reaction member 188. The blade 189 then acts to cut, open,and advance forward to the next preset cutting point. By opening theblade 189 and advancing the unit 187, a number of cuts may be made asthe unit advances forwardly to complete a cut through the entire lengthof the brisket 20. The relevant sections of Specification No. WO89/05584should be consulted if the nature of the construction and operation ofthe brisket cutting apparatus is to be more fully understood.

During the insertion of the reaction member 188 of the brisket cuttingapparatus and movement of that reaction member or anvil 188 forwardly tolie beneath the brisket 20, the diaphragm 25 can be torn or pierced bythe leading end 188a of the reaction member 188.

Alternatively, or in addition, the diaphragm 25 can be cut manuallyduring the horizontal bed dressing operations. The cutting of thediaphragm 25 can comprise merely piercing the diaphragm at the ventraledge 25a so that the diaphragm tears away from the walls of the thoraciccavity during removal of the viscera 30. Alternatively the diaphragm 25can be substantially completely separated manually. Separation of thediaphragm can be commenced at the xiphoid cartilage (at the posteriorend of the sternum) and the cuts can be continued down the walls of therib cage so as to sever the diaphragm as close as possible to the thinskirt and the cuts being completed as near as possible to the spine 15.Performing a complete cut around the periphery of the diaphragm with thecarcass horizontal can be difficult and dangerous because the operatoris working without vision in an area with limited access. This increasesthe possibility of accidentally cutting the operator's hand or aninternal organ of the carcass. However, tilting the carcass 10 at anangle between 20° and 30° to the horizontal with the carcass head upallows the abdominal viscera 32 to fall towards the rear of the carcassand provide better physical access and visibility.

The evisceration apparatus shown in FIG. 1 includes a pusher 40 shown inthe general form of a scoop 41 which is mounted to support means 42. Thesupport means includes a main support section 43 which is telescopicallymovable to enable the pusher 40 to be advanced into the thoracic cavity(as shown in the direction of arrow A). Between the second and fourthribs is considered the best starting point for the scoop 41. A startingpoint further towards the rear of the carcass would require greatermanual clearing of the thoracic cavity. The spine begins to curve at thefirst rib to form the neck and the path of movement of the scoop 41would be more complex if it started near the first rib,

The support 42 is then pivoted about pivot pin 45 to sweep or advancethe scoop 41 along the carcass 10 in the direction of arrow B, i.e. fromthe cranial end 11 towards the caudal end 12, thereby pushing thethoracic and abdominal viscera from the carcass between the hind legs13. In the preferred embodiment, the pubic symphysis 60 is split priorto the evisceration and the hind legs 13 are separated so that a gapwidth of at least 30 mm and preferably about 55 mm is achieved in thesplit in the pubic symphysis. This enables the scoop 41 to travel atleast partially into the split. When the scoop 41 is approximatelyadjacent to the kidneys' position, the scoop 41 can be withdrawn byretracting movement of the main support section 43 as shown by arrow C.The scoop 41 and support 42 can be then moved away from the carcass 10to a washing and sterilising station. e.g. a cabinet (not shown).

The support 42 also includes a secondary support 50 shown as aparallelogram linkage arrangement between the scoop support 51 and themain support 43. This secondary support 50 enables the scoop 41 to moveresiliently in directions of arrow D as the scoop 41 is advanced by themain support 43 in direction of arrow B. To achieve this resilientmovement, there is provided a pneumatic cylinder 53 or other resilientbiasing means so that the scoop 41 will be urged against the spine 15 ofthe carcass and will follow the profile of the spine 15 as it isadvanced. Both pivoting movement and telescoping of the main support 43can be achieved by hydraulic means.

The carcass 10 is shown suspended by the legs by hooks 16, 17 mounted totravel along associated rails 18. 19. A straight line between the rails18 and 19 defines an angle to the horizontal and the spine 15 of thecarcass 10 is inclined to the horizontal at generally this same angle.This angle is preferably in the range 30° to 45° and most preferably inthe range 35° to 40°. Angles of less than 30° can lead to difficultiesin successful evisceration because of reduced gravity assistance. Above45°, gravity assistance does not significantly improve however thespines of medium sized beef carcasses can distort causing the scoop 40to lift from the spine 15 and impede successful evisceration. Successfultrials at 37° were conducted for a wide range of animal sizes.

The speed of advance of the pushing means 40 is preferably in the range0.5 to 0.6 meters per second and most preferably at 0.55 meters persecond. Slower speeds produce unacceptably long push times and anincreased probability of unsuccessful evisceration due to insufficientmomentum of the viscera. Higher speeds than the optimum can result inthe pushing means 40 pushing into the viscera 30 leading to thepossibility of the viscera being flattened and possibly damaged at thepubic symphysis 60.

The viscera 30 emerges between the hind legs 13 and falls to a visceracollection area, such as a tray or conveyor. Larger animals require alarger drop height than small animals. In the case of beef, a dropheight of at least 1,500 mm measured from the rump to the visceracollection area is preferred. A height significantly larger than thiswould increase the probability of the paunch bursting and viscera splashand possible contamination of adjacent areas.

In FIG. 2, an alternative construction of evisceration apparatusincludes a carriage 60 which is driven along rails 61 which extendbetween the rails 18, 19 from which the carcass 10 is suspended. Thecarriage 60 provides a mounting for main support section 43, the lowerend of which is provided with the pusher 40. By driving the carriagealong the rails 61, the pusher 40 can travel along the spine 15 so as topush the viscera 30 from the carcass between the hind legs 13.

It will be seen that the preferred method and apparatus according to thepresent invention as herein described and illustrated enables theviscera to be removed from an animal carcass 10 in a relatively simpleand effective manner. The pusher 40 starts at the third rib and tracksdown the spine pushing the heart, lungs and the paunch and separatingthe connecting tissues and the aorta from the spine. The completeviscera, including the kidneys is cleared from the abdominal cavitybetween the hind legs. The process can be carried out with the diaphragmleft intact or merely pierced at one point or substantially completelyseparated. Thus, if desired, the diaphragm cutting apparatus used in thesystem described in patent specification WO89/005584 can be eliminated.Also the step of at least partially severing the connecting tissues,particularly the external iliac arteries and aorta in a preliminarydressing operation, enables the elimination of the viscera severenceapparatus previously required.

It is believed that the pubic symphysis or aitch bone cutting operationand associated apparatus described in WO89/005584 may also beeliminated. The thoracic and abdominal viscera will predominantly travelover the pubic symphysis 60 if it is not cut prior to the eviscerationoperation and any portions of the viscera which pass beneath the pubicsymphysis, such as the bagged anus, will be lifted back from under thepubic symphysis and will pass with the main bulk of the viscera outbetween the hind legs 13 after passing over the top of the pubicsymphysis 60. However, it is also possible to include an additionaldressing step of pushing the bagged anus, and/or any other viscera whichmight tend to pass beneath the pubic symphysis if it is not cut, intothe abdominal cavity so as to fall or be pushed past the pubic symphysisover the top thereof when the carcass is inverted and the pushingoperation is being carried out. During such a process without priorsplitting of the pubic symphysis, the pusher can travel along the spineand lift from the spine in the region of the diaphragm to pass over thepubic symphysis.

It is to be understood that various alterations, modifications and/oradditions may be made to the features of the possible and preferredembodiment(s) of the invention as herein described without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

We claim:
 1. A process of eviscerating an animal carcass having acranial end and a caudal end and having visera comprising both thoracicviscera and abdominal viscera, the process comprising the stepsof:suspending the carcass with the cranial end lower than the caudal endand, while the carcass is suspended in this position, at least partiallysevering connecting tissues selected from the aorta and the externaliliac arteries, these tissues being tissues which might without beingsevered support the viscera and prevent the viscera falling from anddetaching completely from the carcass during removal thereof;subsequently suspending the carcass so as to be substantially horizontaland, while the carcass is suspended in the horizontal position, cuttingthe brisket; and subsequently suspending the carcass so that the cranialend of the carcass is elevated above the caudal end and while in thisposition pushing the viscera including both the thoracic viscera anabdominal viscera in a direction from the cranial end of the carcasstowards the caudal end so that the thoracic viscera are pushed into theabdominal cavity and the viscera are pushed from the carcass between thehind legs of the carcass so as to fall from and detach completely fromthe carcass after passing between the hind legs.
 2. A process as claimedin claim 1, characterized in that the step of pushing the viscera iscarried out without cutting of the diaphragm around the peripherythereof so that as the pushing operation occurs, the diaphragm tearsfrom the walls of the thoracic activity.
 3. A process as claimed inclaim 2, characterized in that prior to the pushing operation thediaphragm is pierced at its periphery so that the force of the pushingoperation acting through the thoracic viscera onto the diaphragm causesthe diaphragm to tear around its peripheral edges from the walls of thethoracic cavity.
 4. A process as claimed in claim 3, characterized inthat the piercing of the diaphragm is carried out at a ventral portionof the periphery.
 5. A process as claimed in claim 3, characterized inthat the piercing of the diaphragm is carried out manually during apreliminary dressing operation of the carcass prior to the step ofpushing the viscera.
 6. A process as claimed in claim 4, characterizedin that the brisket cutting is carried out by brisket shearing means andpiercing of the diaphragm is carried out by brisket shearing means whichincludes a reaction member which is located in the belly and is advancedfrom the belly so as to lie beneath the brisket, the leading part of thereaction member piercing the diaphragm at the ventral edge as it isadvanced to its position beneath the brisket, a shearing blade beingcooperable with the reaction member to shear the brisket.
 7. A processand claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the spine of the carcassis at an angle of at least 30° to the horizontal during the process ofpushing the viscera from the carcass.
 8. A process as claimed in claim7, characterized in that the angle is between 35° and 40°.
 9. A processand claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the pushing of the viscerain the direction from the cranial end towards the caudal end is carriedout at a speed between 0.5 and 0.6 meters per second.
 10. A process asclaimed in claim 1, characterized in that the viscera drops from therump of the carcass to the viscera collection area over a distance of atleast 1,500 mm so that there is sufficient height for the weight of theviscera to cause complete clearance of the viscera from the carcass. 11.A process as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the publicsymphysis is split before the pushing operation whereby the viscera canpass both above and below and through the split in the public symphysis.12. A process as claimed in claim 11, characterized in that the hindlegs are held separated during the pushing of the viscera from thecarcass, the separation of the hind legs being sufficient to produce asplit in the public symphysis of at least 30 mm in width.
 13. A processas claimed in claim 12, characterized in that the split in the publicsymphysis is about 55 mm in width.
 14. A process as claimed in claim 1,characterized in that the pubic symphysis is not split prior to thepushing operation whereby the viscera travels over the pubic symphysisand any portions of the viscera which would otherwise pass beneath thepubic symphysis will be lifted and pass with the main bulk of theviscera out between the hind legs after passing over the top of thepubic symphysis.
 15. A process as claimed in claim 1, characterized inthat the pushing member is inserted into the thoracic cavity generallybetween the third and fifth ribs and commences to push on the thoracicviscera at about the fifth rib.
 16. A process as claimed in claim 1,characterized in that the support means includes a main support and asecondary support to which the pushing member is mounted, the secondarysupport being resiliently movable relative to main support, the supportmeans including biasing means which urges the pushing member intoengagement with the spine so that the pushing member can contour alongthe spine during the pushing movement thereof.
 17. A process as claimedin claim 1, characterized in that the step of pushing the viscera iscarried out by pushing means including a pushing member and supportmeans, the support means being operative to insert the pushing memberinto the thoracic cavity and being operative to drive the pushing memberin the direction from the cranial end towards the caudal end so as topush the viscera between the hind legs.